West Catholic Game Summary

10-3-09

Archbishop Wood 28, West Catholic 21

Burrs Get Detoured in Loss to Vikings

     Prior to the game the West Catholic team bus took the scenic route to Wissahickon High School for their game against Archbishop Wood. During the game, it was the offense that took an alternate path towards the end zone. And in the end, the Burrs and their fans watched helplessly, as a Viking wide receiver made a juggling catch on his way to a 61-yard touchdown with just 23 seconds left on the clock, giving the Vikings a climatic 28-21 victory.

     You just had the sense that this wasn’t going to be the Burrs’ day when the team bus arrived at 12:52 for a 1 o’clock start time. Football isn’t a game where you want too many of your routines to get thrown off and this certainly was the case today. Then again, the Burrs had ample opportunities to possibly secure a victory, but Wood just made more plays when it counted most.

     After a scoreless first quarter, West finally broke through when junior running back Joshua Mathis dashed in from seven yards. This capped an impressive 6-play, 85-yard drive. A 14-yard run by fullback Brian Mosby and 47-yard sprint by junior running back Brandon Hollomon helped set-up the score.

     The Vikings would knot the game up on their next possession, as they struck on a deep post pattern that went for 55 yards.

     After Wood tied the game the Burrs didn’t fret and again put forth an impressive scoring drive. This time they moved 69 yards on four plays, as Hollomon raced down the right sideline for a 43-yard touchdown.

     Afterwards, the see-saw affair would continue when Wood again tied the score on an 18-yard scoring pass, with 2:05 left in the half.

     The defenses took over in the third quarter and it wasn’t until the final frame that the scoreboard would again be ignited. This time it was the defense doing the job for the Burrs. With Wood driving, senior defensive tackle Erik Harper crashed through the line to break up a Viking play. The hit forced a fumble and junior linebacker Anthony McDonnaugh neatly scooped it up and went untouched down the Wood sideline for a 77-yard score. This gave the Burrs a 21-14 lead, with 11:14 remaining in the game.

     As the fourth quarter wore on the Burr defense forced a punt and made an impressive goal line stand that ended with an interception by sophomore defensive back Kevin Malone in the end zone. However, the offense would continue to sputter and never could get that key first down. In fact, the Burrs offense finished with seven straight non-scoring possessions.

     With the door left open the opportunistic Vikings would make the best of their chances. First, they tied the game with 2:48 left on a 20-yard pass play. Then, after a Burr punt, the Vikings made quick and almost improbable work for their game winning score, moving 71 yards in the final minute-and-a-half.

     The Burrs didn’t go down without a fight, though. On the game’s last play, senior quarterback found junior tight end Jim Lynch (3-45) in the middle of the field. Before being brought down, he pitched to Hollomon who ultimately reached the 11-yard line before getting knocked out of bounds.

     Prior to this last-ditch play, the Burrs offense could only mange minus-two yards and zero first downs during their last five possessions.

     West did accumulate 334 yards for the game, but 230 of them came in the opening half. Hollomon managed 129 yards of rushing and receiving on just nine total touches. Mathis added 78 yards on 18 carries. Evans passed 9-for-16, for 127 yards. Junior wide receiver Quran Kent caught three balls for 37 yards.

     Defensively, West also received interceptions from Hollomon and junior defensive back Lamont Davis. McDonnaugh led with 6 tackles and split a sack with senior linebacker Dante Dickens. Senior defensive lineman Jake Zuzek also notched a sack.

     Despite the loss the Burrs still have much to play for throughout the rest of the season. The ultimate goal of winning a Catholic League title and reaching the state playoffs is still very attainable. Next week, they get back into league play when they host Kennedy-Kenrick at Widener University. The game is Friday night at 7:30.